Electric organ-action.



No. 897,692. PATENTED SEPT. l, 1908. I W. R. WHITEHORNE. 4 ELECTRIC ORGAN ACTION.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16, 1907.

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illgljilh Pi/JFENT WILLIAM R. WHITEHORNE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO WIIIIEHORNE ORGAN ACTION COMPANY, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

ELECTRIC ORGAN-ACTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 1, 1908 Application filed. May 16, 1907. Serial No. 374:,01.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM R. WHITE- HORNE, a citizen of the United States, residing in Brooklyn, New York, have invented certain Improvements in Electric Organ-Actions, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to provide a relatively uncomplicated and inexpensive system of electric apparatus for controlling the operation of an organ, having its various parts so-arranged and constructed that each pipe of the organ shall have an independent valve controlling magnet, for which the supply of current is primarily controlled by the reys and stops of the organ.

'Another object of the invention is to provide a system of the general character above noted, with a relatively simple and inexpensive device or series of devices for preventing injurious sparking at the key contacts, and also to provide an apparatus of an uncomplicated and reliablenature for satisfactorily closing or making the multiple contacts of the various steps. It is further desired to provide independent sources of current for certain groups of magnets, so that those magnets having small valves to operate shall be supplied with current at a lower voltage than those for operating the larger valves.

These and other advantageous ends I secure as hereinafter set forth, references be ing had to the accompanying drawings, in

which Figure 1, is a diagrammatic view illustrating the arrangement and connections of the apparatus for controlling the operation of a part of an organ, the same being typical of the apparatus and connections required in the construction and operation of an entire organ, irrespective of its size. Fig. 2, is a side elevation, to some extent diagrammatic, illustrating the electro-mechanical device for completing the stop contacts of each stop, and Fig. 3, -is a plan, to some extent diagrammatic, further illustrating the device shown in Fig. 2.

In the above drawin s a, a, a? and a represent the windings -o 'magnets, so placed that each ofthem when energized,will cause the opening of the valve controlling the admission of air to oneof the pipes of a series or set of the sarne, such for example, as the flute pi es of they swell manual. Simiand b represent the windings of magnets for controlling the admission of air to the diapason pipes of the same manual, while 0, c, c and c are windings of the magnets for the voX-humana pipes.

While I have shown but four magnet windings in each of the abovementioned series, it will be understood thateach series, as a matter of fact, contains as many pipes with their appropriate valvecontrolling magnets as may be required and as is well known in'the organ art. Similarly, while I have shown. but three series or sets of pipes, it will be understood that these are typical of the different sets of pipes of a complete organ irrespective of their number. controlling means for these valve controlling magnets, I provide a number of stop switches A, B and O, each of which is preferably made as shown in Figs; 2 and 3, so that it may be operated by a magnet d. I preferably so con struct these stop switches that each of them in fact consists of two switches (1 and a, which, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, are do signed to be simultaneously operated by the magnet (Z, it being seen that the switch d of the stop-switch A has one of its contacts in connection with one pole of the source of current E and its other contact connected with one end of the magnet windings a and a respectively, belonging to magnets for controlling the flow of air to the smaller pipes of the series. On-the other hand, the

As part of the switch (Z of this same stop switch has one of the relatively large valves of the larger pipes of the'seriesf In the case of the stop switch B and of the other similarly connected stop switches of the organ, the switch d has one contact in circuit with the current source E and its other contact connected to the magnet coil 5 while the switch d is connected to the source E and to the magnet coils b, b and 6 Similarly, the stop switch O has its contact d connected to the magnet windings c, c and 0 while its contact d is con neeted to the winding 0. Of these two sources of current E and E, the latter has the higher voltage, so that when the stop switch A and certain of the key switches are operated, the coils a and a receive from the source E sufficient current to operate their relatively small valves, while the windings a and a receive from the high voltage source of current E a larger amount of current to properly actuate their relatively large valves.

ltach of the stop switches A, B and C above referred to consists, in the preferred form of m invention, of a block all of insulating material, upon opposite edges of which are suitably mounted a series of metallic strips or wires (1 and d, all projecting beyond said edge and all more or less spring T or resilient. The magnet a is provided with armatures d and d each pivoted to a supporting structure (1*, and normally pulled away from the core of the magnot by a common spring d. Each arnniture carries on its end farthest from the magnet d elongated contact plates d extending under the contact strips (I' or (Z as the case may be, in such. manner that when the armature is attracted toward the magnet core, said will be raised so as to simultaneously engage all of said spring'st-rips or wires of one set of the same. These plates d are preferably insulated from the arniaturcs upon which they are carried, while each of the strips or wires 1" is connected to one of the magnet windings (1 it", etc. On the other hand, the strips or wires d 'arc each connected to one of the magnet windings a, (1 etc, it being understood that the stop switches B and as well as any other stop switches required, are preferably of the construction shown and described in connection with the stop switch A, though as before noted those of the magnets requiring but a feeble current for their cnergization are, through their switches (1, connected to the current source l while those magnets which operate enlarge valves or have a heavy load are, through their switches d, connected to the source E.

The stopswitch-o] erating magnets (Z may be controlled in any desired. manner, such as described for instance in my pending application for Patent No. 333,590, lilcd September 7, 1906, though if desired, such magnet may be replaced by some mechanical or pneumatic device whereby the plates d, which are respectively connected to the wires c and. a, may be made to simultaneously engage all the strips or wires (1 and (1 respectively.

F, G, ll and I represent key switches designed to be closed when the corresponding keys are depressed, and each is provided with three contacts, one of which, indicated atf in the case of the switch F, is connectedto one end of each of the windings (t, andc belonging to the valve controlling magnets of three pipes each in a separate series of pipes. The second contact 1, designed to be engaged by the contactf, is connected to the second. terminal of the high voltage source of current E; while the third contact f of the switch F is similarly-connected to plate the second terminal of the low voltage cur-- rent source E. In a similar manner the movable contacts of switches G, H and I are respectively connected to the second ends of ,the valve controlling magnet windings a,

l), c, a", N, c and a b and a. In each. in stance, the second'contact of each switch is connected to the second terminal of the high voltage source of current E while the third contact is similarly connected to the second terminal of the low voltage source of current.

For the purpose of reducing sparking at the contacts of the key switches, if, (it etc, I provide multiple condensers K, K, K and K4 and connect one terminal of each condenser to each. of the threecontacts of each switch F, G, ll and I; Under operating conditions therefore, a certain stop switch or switches may be closed by the encrgization of ii ts particular magnet d or by any cquivalent means; for example, in the present instance, let it be considered that stop switches A and B are so closed. If now, key switches F and ll. be closed by the depression of their corresponding keys, the pipes controlled by the windings (1/, I) and (L2 and b will be sound ed, for it will be seen that when the switch l is closed, the current is free to How from the high voltage current source E through the switch (Z of the stop switch A, through wind.- ing a, contactsfand f of theswitch F to the second terminal ol the high voltage generator E; the pipe controlled by said windings a being of a large size. The current is also free to flow from the high voltage source of current E through the switch (1" of stop switch B, winding 1), contacts f and f of key switch F and back to the second terminal of the high voltage source of current.

The closed key switch ll similarly permits the current to ilow from the low voltage generator E to stop switch A, through switch 1/ ol' the said stop switch, to the valve'controlling windings (B, through the contacts], I of the key switch ll and back to the second terminal ofthe generator E. Current'also llows from the high voltage source of current E to the switch (1 of the stop switch 13, valve-controlling windings If contacts f. f of key switch It and back to the second tel" niinal of the high voltage source of current lC.

By the use of a plurality of sources otcurrent of diil'crent voltages I am enabled to satisfactorily operate the different sized pipe valves without the necessity for providing on one hand, resistance coils to cut down the current flow to the valve magnets of the small pipes, or on the other hand, wasting the current by permitting an undue tlow thereof when it is not required, as would be the case if the resistance coils were omitted. By providing connections from each lc-v switch to the two sources of current, it i; possible to supply a large current to the llltl the stop switches are of such a nature as to be certain in operation and yet of the simplest and most inexpensive construction. F urther, all stop switches are, by virtue of their construction, particularly adapted for the work described, in view of the fact that they satisfactorily operate even with. the very large number of contacts employed in organ construction.

While I have illustrated and preferably i employ three-way condensers to diminish or prevent sparking at the switch contacts, it will be understood that other forms of single or multiple condensers may be employed. for

this purpose without departing from my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. An electric organ having a series of keys each provided with a switch, stop mechanism including a plurality of switches, a valve I controlling magnet winding tor each pipe,

each providedv with a magnets each controlling the valve ofa sineach winding having in series with it key controlled switch and a switch belonging to the stop mechanism, with a source of current for energizing the windings, substantially as described.

.2. An electric organ having a series of keys key switch, a series of gle pipe, and each having one of the'key switches in series with it, with sto mechanism including a number of multip e contact switches also in circuit with the magnets.

3. An electric organ having a series of magnets each controlling the admission of air to a single pipe, a series of keys, a switch controlled by each key and in circuit with one of'said magnets, and stop mechanism including a switch having a plurality of contacts each connected to one of said. magnets substantially as described.

4. An electric organ having a series of valve controlling magnets for the valves of a series of pipes, a seriesof key switches respectively connected to said magnets, and

astop swit h dev1ce also connected with the magnets, said stop switch device including a plurality of separate switches, of which one is connected to one group of magnet windings and another is connected to another group ot said windings, with sources of current of diiierent voltages respectively connected to the various switches of said stop switch, substantially as described.

. 5'. An organ having a magnet winding for controlling the sounding of each of its pipes, mechanism including a switch having a plurality of sets of contacts, the

. stantially as desc.

contacts of one set being connected with certain. oi the magnets and the contacts of another set being independently connected to others of said magnets, and key switches respectively in circuit with said magnets, substantially as described.

6. An electric organ consisting of a nunk ber of series of magnet windings, each magnet controlling the sounding of a single pipe, a series of key switches, each connected to certain of the windings for controlling the sounding oi the same note in each series, and a stop switch for each series of windings, each of said stop switches having a plurality of contacts respectively connected to certain groups of windings of its particular series, with current generators of different voltages respectively connected to the step switches to supply current at different vol different groups of windings, subs't described.

7. An electric organ having a series of magnet windings, each connected to control the sounding of a single pipe, a stop switch having a plurality of terminals respectively connected to different groups of the magnet windings of the series, a plurality of current generators of diflerent voltages respectively connected to the parts of the stopswitch, a series of multi le contact key switches, and a series of mu tiple condensers each having its terminals respectively connected to' the terminals of one of the switches, substantially described.

S. .rin electric organ having a number of series o'l-- magnet windings, each. of said windings controlling the s i unding of a single pipe, a series of key switches, means for connc ing each key switch with one winding oi co series, stop mechanism. including multiple contact stop switches of which there is one for each series of magnet windings, and a source of current for said magnets, substantially described.

9. [in electric organ having a number oi seriesoi magnet windings, each of said windings controlling the sounding of a single pipe, a serie of key switches, means for connecting each key switch with one winding of each series, a multiple contact stop switch for each series of magnet windings, each stop switch having independent contacts, with two sources of current each connected to the key switches and to one of the independent con tracts of each. stop switch, substantially as de scribed.

ll). An electric organ having a series of magnet windings for controlling the sounding oi its pipes, key switches for said windings, and a stop switch, said stop switch including a pluraiity of terminals connected respectiveiy to the different magnet windings, and a single '1 capable of simultaneously'enga inc said terminals, suh

11. An electric organ having a series of magnet windings for coi'itrolling the sounding of its pipes, key switches for said wind ings and a stop switch, said step switch in cluding a plurality of terminals connected respectively to the diflerent magnet windings, a single contact capable of Sl1]'l11lt1110 ously engaging all of said terminals, and means for actuating said single contact, substantially described.

12. An electric organ having a series of magnet windings for controlling the sounding of its pipes, key switches for the supply of current to said windings, and a stop switch, said step switch having two series of terminal contacts, each series respectively conncctedto a group of magnet windings of the series of magnets, and two separate con tacts for simultaneously engaging the terminal contacts respectively of the two sets of the same, substantially as described.

13. An electric organ having a series of magnet windings for controlling the sounding of its pipes, key switches for the supply of current to said windings, and a stop switch, said stop switch having two series 'of terminal contacts, each series connected to group oi magnet windings oi the series of magnets, and two separate contacts for simultaneously engaging the terminal contacts respectively of the two sets of the same, with a single device for simultaneously actuating said two contacts, substantially as described.

14. An electric organ having multiple point key switches, two sources of current of di'll'erent voltage. respectively connected to two contacts of each key switch, a number of series of magnet windings for causing sounding of the organ pipes, one winding of each series being connected to a third contact of each switch, and a stop switch for each series of windings, said stop switches each being COlll'lGCllOLl to both sources of current, substantially as described.

An electric organ having multiple point key switches, two sources of current of dill'erent voltages respectively connected to two contacts of each key switch, a number of series of magnet windings for causing sounding of the organ pipes, one winding of each series being connected to a third contact ol' each switch, and a stop switch device for each series of windings, each stop switch de-- series of magnet windings for causing sounding of the organ pipes, one winding of each series being connected to a third contact of each switch, and a stop switch for each'series of windings, said stop switches each being connected to both sources of current, with multiple condensers connected to each key switch, each of said switches having its ter minals respectively connected to the terminals of the condenser, substantially as de scribed.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM R. VVHITEHORNE.

Witnesses:

Eva L. MILLARD, FRANK V. GRINDEN. 

